Media to help Vanuatu curb NCD epidemic

Transcript

Health authorities and the media in Vanuatu are joining forces to try to curb the growth in so-called lifestyle diseases.

Figures released last week show 70 percent of cases at the Vila Central Hospital are related to non communicable diseases or NCDs.

The World Health Organisation's advisor on NCDs Myriam Abel says smoking, alcohol use, an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are major risks for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

She says the media can be a powerful tool in combating the epidemic.

MYRIAM ABEL: We have some good base information that tells us that NCD are prevalent throughout the country and also the baseline tells us that we have 20 percent of people affected by NCDs and also about 30 to 40 percent have high blood pressure.

KOROI HAWKINS: NCDs are non-communicable diseases, they're also known as lifestyle diseases. Does this mean that something needs to change or something is being done wrong in terms of the way people are living their lives in Vanuatu and the Pacific?

MA: I think we can say, NCDs also equal lifestyle behaviour of people in the country or in the Pacific, so we are certain that NCDs is equal to family lifestyle but I think what is important about it is that in the country's government is taking note of this and I'm happy to say, Vanuatu has launched its NCD roadmap and this is advising and looking at a multisectoral approach to assist the country, to assist the government in order to address these big issues. There are four risk factors to NCDs, abuse of alcohol, abuse of tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity so these are the four main risk factors that lead to NCDs diabetes, hypertension and so forth.

KH: What are our experts forecasting, is this situation going to get worse? Can it get better?

MA: I'd say that we are at the crossroads we are wanting to say that it has to get better, so we do more work in schools with education because we're wanting to really make an impact on our young people and especially our small children. They may be the generation that will be more proactive in the reduction of NCDs in the country.